Learn about icons, emoji & Unicode

Short, practical explainers — what emoji really mean, how Unicode works, and how to ship icons well.

😄 Emoji meanings 12

What the internet’s favourite emoji really mean — and how to use them without the awkwardness.

Fire emoji 🔥: meaning and how to use it

Literally a flame, but online it overwhelmingly means something is excellent, exciting or “hot” — a great photo, a strong opinion, a trending drop.

Skull emoji 💀: meaning and how to use it

Used to say “I’m dead” from laughing — something is so funny or cringe it metaphorically killed you. Gen Z’s replacement for 😂.

Face with Tears of Joy emoji 😂: meaning and how to use it

Laughing so hard you cry. Once the most-used emoji in the world; still the universal “that’s hilarious”.

Pleading Face emoji 🥺: meaning and how to use it

Big puppy-dog eyes: asking nicely, feeling touched, or being adorably overwhelmed.

Sparkles emoji ✨: meaning and how to use it

Newness, magic, celebration — and, wrapped around words, playful ✨emphasis✨ or gentle sarcasm.

Hundred Points emoji 💯: meaning and how to use it

Total agreement or perfection — “keep it 100”, “absolutely”.

Folded Hands emoji 🙏: meaning and how to use it

Please, thank you, or prayer depending on culture. In Japan it’s a bow of thanks; elsewhere often “fingers crossed”.

Eyes emoji 👀: meaning and how to use it

Watching closely: curiosity, anticipation, or noticing some drama.

Melting Face emoji 🫠: meaning and how to use it

Slowly dissolving from heat, embarrassment, or sheer overwhelm — sarcastic calm while everything falls apart.

Thinking Face emoji 🤔: meaning and how to use it

Pondering, doubting, or quietly questioning something.

Heart Hands emoji 🫶: meaning and how to use it

Hands forming a heart: affection, gratitude and support, warmer than a plain ❤️.

Handshake emoji 🤝: meaning and how to use it

Agreement, partnership or a deal done.

🔤 Unicode & encoding 1

How characters, emoji and symbols are represented under the hood.

🎨 Working with icons 2

Practical guides for picking, formatting and shipping icons in real projects.